CV2065 MKIV Roadster Build Thread #2 - Visors - Heat Shields - Saggy Pipe

[cv2065]

Stil working on the front suspension and had a little delay as I ordered the Howe Suspension dust boots for my upper ball joints. I tried the Energy ones but they didn't seem to fit properly despite reading edwardb's build thread. Even though they are the same model number, my Howe ball joints look a little different than Paul's, so maybe something changed? Either way, thought I'd try these and had to wait for these to arrive from Summit so I could continue. They are the Howe Precision Ball Joint Boots (22399V).

So got everything together, with just the rotor and brakes left to install. A couple of learnings from the front suspension install:

• In order to tighten the LCA spindle, I connected the upper ball joint and then used a piece of 2x4 to steady it all. The spindle has a multi-directional movement so isolating without connecting the UCA is really tough.
• The LCA spindle castle nut is a 15/16" socket size. Once isolated, I used a 15/16" crows foot to tighten to 80 ft/lbs, as connecting the UCA does not allow the room to put a torque wrench with socket. Putting the crows foot on at a 90 degree angle does not alter the torque values.
• Harbor Freight was the only local place I found (not Lowes or Home Depot) that had a 15/16" crows foot.
• The driver's size castle nut did not align to install the cotter pin at the correct torque value. I swapped out with the other side and still no joy. I removed the castle nut, VERY slightly ground some of the flat side off on my workbench grinder, which did the trick. I did not want to use a washer.
• Because the Howe Ball Joint uses a smaller castle nut (19mm), I was able to get a torque wrench on to it, stabilize with a 2x4 and get to the recommended torque value of 55 ft/lbs. Howe states that one can go as high as 70 ft/lbs in order to get the hole and cotter pin to align, but that wasn't needed. On both sides, it was dead on 55 ft/lbs with alignment. Not sure if that is coincidence or these things are just dead on accurate. I probably could get to the next hole and 70 ft/lbs if I wanted, as these torque so easily, but not sure that is necessary?
• The LCA grease boot on the driver's side was a little 'rotund'. I put too much grease in there and squeezed out what I could out of the overflow channel before installing the spindle, but it was still a little 'puffy'. I think this will work itself out when the assembly is under load and flattens out a bit. I think you just need a couple of squirts of grease. At least this is what Howe recommends for their joints.

Here's how the Howe dust boots align. One side is not completely aligned with the top. I hope to not have a repeat of the Moog boots on the last build, but I think they will align once there is weight and the arms move up a bit. They fit perfectly before I hooked up the arms. Cotter pin is not secured yet on the nut.


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